Adjusting for inflation, the budget of Metropolis was in the region of $200 million. A more than substantial amount for any studio to pay in 1927. James Cameron's recent Pocahontas-in-space epic Avatar cost close to $300 million. Both are currently on re-release with extra footage added, Metropolis has an extra 25 minutes of film, Avatar has an extra 9 minutes. This is where the similarities end as it's difficult to imagine anyone watching, let alone studying, that glorified computer game trailer 80 years from now.
Technically I have seen Metropolis before, albeit a two hour long DVD version. Add to that the fact it was on a 14-inch television I purchased for £25 whilst at University (the brand name could possibly have been Sorny or Panasonix). Not exactly the best way to view any film but it was still painfully clear how original, relevant and important Fritz Langs masterpiece really was.
Fast forward a few years and I have the pleasure of enjoying Metropolis on a cinema screen and with 25 minutes of lost footage added. What was originally an important film to watch for anyone who loves cinema has become more than that. This landmark vision of the future is truly great on almost every level.
A silent film made in the 1920's is not going to appeal to most of the cinema going masses, and it shouldn't, its not for everyone and takes some effort on the part of the viewer to really become immersed in. But if you like something with a little more depth than Piranha 3D and are willing to invest almost two and a half hours in an 80 year old film, Metropolis rewards you with images that stay in your mind for years.
Most aspects of the film have been pastiched, homaged and sometimes just plagiarized in sci-fi films since its first release. From the beautiful dystopian city set design (Dark City, Blade Runner, The Fifth Element) to the robotic Maria (Star Wars, The Terminator) to the mechanical arm (Dr. Strangelove). The character of Rotwang became the paradigm for almost every 'mad-scientist' character in cinema since.
The IFI will be running a season entitled 'After Metropolis' until the 19th of September. The fact that it includes Brazil, Dark City, Dr Strangelove or :How I stopped Worrying and Love the Bomb and some of the other greatest science fiction films of all time, is testament to the influence Metropolis has had on cinema.
For those who have seen it before, the opportunity to see a restored version of Metropolis on the big screen is not to be missed. For those who haven't, but have an interest in German Expressionism, Science Fiction or film in general, it's an absolute must. The only downside being that any film watched after this will somehow seem slightly dull and insignificant.
Technically I have seen Metropolis before, albeit a two hour long DVD version. Add to that the fact it was on a 14-inch television I purchased for £25 whilst at University (the brand name could possibly have been Sorny or Panasonix). Not exactly the best way to view any film but it was still painfully clear how original, relevant and important Fritz Langs masterpiece really was.
Fast forward a few years and I have the pleasure of enjoying Metropolis on a cinema screen and with 25 minutes of lost footage added. What was originally an important film to watch for anyone who loves cinema has become more than that. This landmark vision of the future is truly great on almost every level.
A silent film made in the 1920's is not going to appeal to most of the cinema going masses, and it shouldn't, its not for everyone and takes some effort on the part of the viewer to really become immersed in. But if you like something with a little more depth than Piranha 3D and are willing to invest almost two and a half hours in an 80 year old film, Metropolis rewards you with images that stay in your mind for years.
Most aspects of the film have been pastiched, homaged and sometimes just plagiarized in sci-fi films since its first release. From the beautiful dystopian city set design (Dark City, Blade Runner, The Fifth Element) to the robotic Maria (Star Wars, The Terminator) to the mechanical arm (Dr. Strangelove). The character of Rotwang became the paradigm for almost every 'mad-scientist' character in cinema since.
The IFI will be running a season entitled 'After Metropolis' until the 19th of September. The fact that it includes Brazil, Dark City, Dr Strangelove or :How I stopped Worrying and Love the Bomb and some of the other greatest science fiction films of all time, is testament to the influence Metropolis has had on cinema.
For those who have seen it before, the opportunity to see a restored version of Metropolis on the big screen is not to be missed. For those who haven't, but have an interest in German Expressionism, Science Fiction or film in general, it's an absolute must. The only downside being that any film watched after this will somehow seem slightly dull and insignificant.